Mrs. Vicki Lynn Cundari

At the age of 2, her family moved from Pennsylvania to Detroit, Michigan where her father worked for General Motors until he retired. A hard worker her whole life, she immediately started working various jobs after graduating Cody High School in 1968. While waiting tables at Stromboli's Restaurant in 1969, she spilled drinks on the owner's son, Frank Cundari. 3 years later, she married him in 1972. With short stints in Kansas City and Grand Rapids, they finally settled in Dallas in 1978. In addition to being a mother of 3, she also managed and ran her husband's ophthalmology practice for 36 years before stepping back from day-to-day operations in 2018. She fully retired in 2019 to spend time with her grandchildren, play penny poker with friends, and get through her backlog of books while enjoying a calmer, quieter life.

Vicki was a caring, gentle woman who made everyone's life around her better. With sparkling green eyes and an ever present smile, she never had a mean word to say about anyone. Indeed, with 3 kids in the house, the admonition “to not say anything at all if you can't say anything nice” was heard often (perhaps too often). Even when navigating Dallas' terrible traffic and dropping 3 kids off at soccer practice, ballet, or guitar lessons, Vicki's calm demeanor made it seem like a Sunday drive. Instead of yelling at other drivers who might have cut her off, she'd name them Harold or Gladys, and benignly ask, “what're you doing, Harold?” or “please pick a lane, Gladys.”

A very different experience than when her husband, Frank, would drive the kids.

But no matter how calm she was during driving, her arm was always ready to shoot across the seat like a steel bar more powerful and quicker than any seat belt or airbag at the slightest hint of trouble.

A meticulous organizer, she firmly believed that getting the details correct would allow the big picture to take care of itself. Before leaving the house, everyone was asked a series of questions to ensure keys and wallets were in pockets, cars were full of gas, emergency numbers were known, and itineraries set, with any changes to be notified and updated immediately. In the office, bills were paid ahead of schedule, equipment ordered with sufficient backups, copiers were full of paper, and patients tended with care. Despite all this attention to detail, she never forgot the people who were the heart of the office. A card would appear on a desk highlighting a job well done, perhaps with a little cash bonus to take the family out to eat. Vicki made them feel like an extended part of the family.

Between her homemade apple pie recipe from her mother, and her meatballs and pasta sauce recipe from her mother-in-law, Vicki's house was always full of delicious aromas, and usually the jovial chatter that accompanies an excellent meal. Always willing to listen while stirring the sauce or rolling out the dough, she instinctively knew when you needed advice or just wanted to vent your problems.

She was the cornerstone around which an entire family, and an entire doctor's practice, was built. She will be missed by all who knew her. She is survived by her husband of 49 years Frank, sons Joseph and Paul, daughter Emma, and 6 grandchildren.

Flowers can be sent to Bluebonnet Hills Funeral Home, or in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude's Hospital.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.bluebonnethills.com for the Cundari family.